National Teen Driver Safety Week starts Sunday

National Teen Driver Safety Week starts Sunday

October 19th, 2013 in News

Unfortunately, too many teens still aren't following basic driver safety and the Graduated Driver License Law requirement of wearing a seat belt when they get behind the wheel or ride with others in motor vehicles.

Teen Driver Safety Week provides a unique opportunity to focus attention on this national problem. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are the No. 1 cause of fatalities among teenagers in the United States. In 2012, there were 64 teen vehicle occupants killed in Missouri traffic crashes, with 81 percent being unbelted. Eleven percent of the unbelted teens who were killed were also impaired drivers.

"Only 66 percent of Missouri's teens wear their seat belts," said Leanna Depue, executive committee chair of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. "So many of those tragedies could be prevented, if only teens would take the time to buckle up."

Teen drivers are more likely to drive distracted or substance-impaired than other drivers. Under Missouri law, drivers age 21 and younger are banned from texting while driving and can be fined up to $200 for this offense. Missouri also has a Zero Tolerance Law, meaning if people younger than 21 are caught driving with even a trace of alcohol in their system, their licenses will be suspended.

The coalition suggests four simple safe-driving tips:

• Drive focused, without distraction of talking or texting on your cellphone.